News Article

In General

Carmen Vega-Barachowitz, MS, CCC-SLP, director of the Department of Speech, Language, Swallowing and Reading Disabilities, has been named one of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Diversity Champions. Vega-Barachowitz is being recognized for her leadership on multicultural issues, including her role in developing programs to recruit a diverse and multilingual staff to meet patient needs.

Patrica Guglietta, MD, a physician at the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center, was named a finalist for the Compassionate Caregiver Award by the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center. The award recognizes a Massachusetts caregiver who exemplifies the mission of the Schwartz Center in supporting and advancing compassionate health care. Guglietta, who also was once a social worker, is known for both her clinical acumen and her kindness.

Andrew Brack, PhD, of the Center for Regenerative Medicine, and Johnathan Whetstine, PhD, of the Center for Cancer Research, are recipients of the 2009 New Scholar in Aging Awards from the Ellison Medical Foundation. The awards, given to young scientists with exciting potential for breakthroughs in aging, provide up to $100,000 per year for a four-year period. Brack's work will focus on the regulation of muscle stem cell homeostasis during aging, while Whetstine's research will explore the relationship of genomic instability to reduced lifespans.

Rob Sheridan, MD, of the MGH Division of Burns and the Shriners Hospital for Children, has been elected president of the American Burn Association. Founded in 1967, the American Burn Association represents burn units and providers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Its next annual meeting will be held in Boston from March 9 through 12.